After years of competing at the highest level, Andrew Kurka has announced his retirement from alpine ski racing. His career closes not just with medals and podium finishes, but with a profound impact on Para alpine skiing and the community that surrounds it.

Kurka quickly emerged as one of the most dominant athletes in the men’s Para alpine sitting class, representing the United States on the world stage starting in 2010. After a poorly timed injury kept him from racing at the 2014 Games, his comeback moment came at the 2018 Winter Paralympics, where he captured gold in men’s downhill, cementing himself as a star in the sport. 

Known for his aggressive skiing style, Kurka became a constant podium threat across World Cup and international events. His “bad boy line” mentality led to numerous injuries throughout his career, including over 20 broken bones, but they never stopped him from pushing the limits in his comebacks. He continued on to earn two more Paralympic team nominations, and wrapped up his career at the 2026 Games with a bronze medal in super-G. 

He was also instrumental in promoting the sport both to the next generation of athletes and in growing the visibility of Para sports. Through his work as an athlete mentor for Classroom Champions, Kurka spent time with students and teachers in underserved communities, talking about sport and disability. He is also the proud owner of a bed and breakfast in his home state of Alaska, geared towards helping people with disabilities experience the outdoors that have impacted his career so profoundly. Along with his success on the snow, Kurka has also served as a mentor to many young Para alpine athletes, guiding their careers throughout his time on the team.

As he puts away his race skis, Kurka leaves behind a sport that is stronger, faster, and more visible than when he entered it. His career helped bridge the gap between sport and culture, and he consistently delivered both on the snow and off it. 

While his time in the start gate may be over, his impact on Para alpine skiing will continue to shape the sport for years to come.

Thank you, Andrew.

Park City, UT (May 6, 2026) - U.S. Ski & Snowboard officially announces the 13 athletes who have been nominated to the 2026-27 Stifel U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team across all classifications and disciplines. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announces its teams in two phases: nomination and acceptance. The athletes are formally nominated to the Stifel U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team in May. Pending their acceptance of the nomination and adherence to the team expectations outlined in team criteria, athletes will be officially announced to the team in October 2026. 

The team is headlined by 2026 Paralympic silver medalist Patrick Halgren and World Cup podium finishers Audrey Crowley and Kelsey O’Driscoll. Crowley and O’Driscoll both had standout 2025-26 seasons, with multiple World Cup podium appearances and Paralympic debuts. 

New to the team this year are Meg Gustafson and guide Spenser Gustafson. The brother-sister duo made their World Cup debut last season and immediately made an impact, earning two podiums. Joining them is Noah Bury, who made his first World Cup and Paralympic starts last season. 

2026-27 Stifel U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team

(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate)

A TEAM
Women - Standing

• Audrey Crowley (Grafton, WI; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; University of Denver; 3/1/2007)
• Kelsey O’Driscoll (Glens Falls, NY; National Sports Center for the Disabled; SUNY Adirondack; 1/24/1994)

Women - Visually Impaired

• Meg Gustafson (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 4/22/2009)*
  • Guide: Spenser Gustafson (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 5/8/2007)*

Men - Standing

• Patrick Halgren (Tolland, CT; National Sports Center for the Disabled; 6/24/1992)

B TEAM
Women - Standing

• Allie Johnson (Chicago, IL; National Sports Center for the Disabled; Colorado State University; 12/23/1994)

Women - Sitting

• Saylor O’Brien (Woodland, UT; National Ability Center; 4/28/2003)

Men - Standing

• Jesse Keefe (Sun Valley, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; University of Colorado Colorado Springs; 3/26/2004)
• Andrew Haraghey (Enfield, CT; National Ability Center; Westminster University; 12/16/1995)
• Tyler McKenzie (Leominster, MA; National Ability Center; Bates College; 8/20/1991)

Men - Sitting

• Matthew Brewer (Huntington Beach, CA; National Ability Center; Saddleback Community College; 5/8/1975; 2022)
• Robert Enigl (Kaukauna, WI; National Sports Center for the Disabled/National Ability Center; Fox Valley Tech; 12/16/1983)

D TEAM 

Men - Standing

• Noah Bury (Salt Lake City, UT; National Sports Center for the Disabled; Weber State University; 1/18/2003)*

Men - Sitting

• Ravi Drugan (Eugene, OR; Oregon Adaptive Sports; 12/19/1989)

*Newly named to the Stifel U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team

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FOR MORE INFORMATION 
Ryan Odeja - Stifel U.S. Para Alpine Team Press Officer
[email protected] 

The men’s slalom brought the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games to a close Sunday at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre, where difficult weather and fresh snow made for a challenging final race of the Games. 

Overnight snowfall dropped nearly a foot of fresh snow on the course, forcing organizers to delay the race start by an hour as crews worked to clear the track. Even after the delay, the conditions remained tricky with fog rolling in and out across the hill with moments of very low visibility.

In the men’s standing classification, Jesse Keefe had a difficult first run, but regrouped for the second and delivered a performance he was proud of to move up the standings to 13th place. Patrick Halgren finished 15th to cap off a banner Games for the silver medalist in super-G. Tyler McKenzie did not finish his second run, while Spencer Wood and Noah Bury, in his Paralympic debut, did not finish the first run.

In men’s sitting, Ravi Drugan led Team USA with a 15th place finish, followed by Jasmin Bambur in 18th. The challenging surface and low visibility also took their toll on the sitting field. Matthew Brewer, Robert Enigl and Kyle Taulman did not finish the first run.

The men’s slalom marked the final event of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, bringing the two-week competition in Italy to a close. Across Para alpine and Para snowboard, Team USA delivered a strong performance throughout the Games, earning eight total medals – six for Para snowboard and two for Para alpine – highlighting the depth and strength of the American programs that came under U.S. Ski & Snowboard in 2023. 

RESULTS
Men's Slalom
Standing
Sitting

The women’s slalom brought the women’s Para alpine skiing program to a close Saturday at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. 

Despite dreary weather conditions that brought rain and snow throughout the day, the energy on the hill remained high as athletes and fans embraced the final women's race day of the Paralympic alpine schedule.

In the women’s visually impaired (VI) classification, Meg Gustafson and guide Spenser Gustafson led the way for Team USA, finishing in sixth place with two consistent runs. 

In standing, Kelsey O'Driscoll took ninth, followed by Allie Johnson in 13th. Audrey Crowley did not finish her first run.

In the women’s sitting classification, Anna Soens led the Americans with an eighth-place finish, despite a big mistake on her second run. Laurie Stephens finished 12th, followed by Hailey Griffin in 14th. Saylor O’Brien did not finish.

The race marked Stephen’s final race in the Paralympics, as she has announced that Milano Cortina will be her last Games. Stephens has attended six Paralympics, is a two-time Paralympic champion and has seven Paralympic medals. 

"It's been a huge honor to be able to represent my country and be able to compete at the highest stage for Paralympic alpine skiing," said Stephens. "It's just been a great experience."

The men’s slalom finishes off the Paralympic Games on Sunday, March 15. The cauldron will go out Sunday night at the Closing Ceremony in Cortina.

RESULTS
Women’s Giant Slalom
VI
Standing
Sitting

The men’s giant slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games proved to be one of the toughest races of the Para alpine program Friday, as soft snow and deteriorating course conditions created a challenge. Matthew Brewer led the U.S. in 12th place, his best Paralympic result in GS.

Warm temperatures early in the morning softened the surface quickly and the course began to break down during the first run, resulting in numerous DNFs across the field. Course crews salted the hill before the second run in an effort to firm up the snow, but the track remained bumpy, forcing athletes to balance speed and control.

Jesse Keefe led the Americans in 13th place in the men’s standing classification, followed by Tyler McKenzie in 19th. Mikey O’Hearn finished 28th in his Paralympic debut. Patrick Halgren and Spencer Wood both recorded DNFs in the first run.

Brewer led Team USA in 12th place in sitting, with Ravi Drugan finishing 15th. Andrew Kurka, Robert Enigl and Jasmin Babur did not finish.

Para alpine skiing competition continues in Cortina on Saturday with the women's slalom as the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games head into their final weekend.

RESULTS
Men’s Giant Slalom
Standing
Sitting

Team USA Para alpine skiers returned to Cortina on Thursday for the women’s giant slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

In women’s vision impaired, Meg Gustafson and guide Spenser Gustafson led the American effort, finishing fifth overall. The Gustafsons had a strong first run, putting them in podium contention, but a few small mistakes in second run left them just out of the medals.   

In the women’s standing classification, Kelsey O’Driscoll was the top American finisher in ninth after putting together two clean runs. Allie Johnson followed in 12th place, continuing her Paralympic campaign with another consistent result. Teammate Audrey Crowley showed strong skiing early but missed the final gate on the first run and was disqualified, ending her race early.

In women’s sitting giant slalom, Hailey Griffin finished ninth in her first ever Paralympic start, marking an important milestone for the newcomer. Anna Soens, Saylor O’Brien and Laurie Stevens did not finish the second run. For Stevens, the race marked the first start of her sixth and final Paralympic Winter Games, continuing a long and accomplished career representing Team USA on the Paralympic stage.

Men’s giant slalom is next on Friday before the women kick off the slalom weekend to finish off the Games. 

RESULTS
Women’s Giant Slalom
VI
Standing
Sitting